Top Tips for New Cat Owners

 

Bringing home your first cat is both exciting and a little daunting. Most cats and kittens don’t like change and can find the move into a new home very stressful, so may be skittish or even hostile at first. However, in the vast majority of cases, cats will quickly settle into their new homes and will be begging for attention before you know it! Here are a few tips to make the transition a little easier for you, your new cat, and any other pets you may have. 

Give your cat time to settle in

It’s important to be patient with your new cat. They will likely be shy and cautious when you first bring them home and you should respect their space and boundaries. If you can, give your new cat their own room away from the hustle and bustle of the house. Rather than approaching your cat straight away, try sitting in the room with them and talking in a soothing voice. This will show you’re not a threat and will get your cat used to your presence. As your cat begins to warm up to you, you can try gently petting them and gauge their reaction. If they seem uncomfortable, back off and give them more time. Don’t worry, they’ll come around eventually!

Make a trip to the vet

One of the most important things for new cat owners to do is to make a trip to the vet. It’s vital to have your new cat assessed for any health problems, and to get them vaccinated(if you live in Virginia, veterinarianmidlothianva.com offers a comprehensive vaccination course), dewormed, defleatreatment, and neutered or spayed, if they haven’t been already. You should also get your cat microchipped, which simply means they have a small chip implanted under their skin which is then registered with your details. This means that if your cat ever goes missing, someone can bring it into the vet and have it scanned, which will bring up your details so you can be contacted. 

Don’t let your cat out straight away

If you’re planning on letting your cat roam free, (although this can be risky if you live in an area with lots of predators, other cats, or traffic) you should wait at least four weeks before letting them outside. This is so they have time to find their bearings, and to know that your home is now their home. If you let them out straight away, they are likely to get confused and disoriented and be unable to find their way back. Give them time to settle in and get used to you and your home before you allow them to start exploring the neighborhood. 

Introduce other pets slowly 

If you already have other pets, you should introduce them to your new cat slowly and gradually to help foster a good relationship between them. If you introduce your new cat to your excitable golden retriever without any kind of preparation, they’re probably not going to react well! Try getting your cat used to other animals in the house by having them sniff each other through a closed door. This means your pets can start to get to know each other without any risk of confrontation.